Eastern Conference Finals set

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League has announced the schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals series of the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Toronto Marlies, top affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, will face the Hershey Bears, top affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, in the best-of-seven series beginning Friday in Hershey, Pa.

Both the Marlies and Bears advanced with thrilling Game 7 victories. Toronto held off Albany, 4-3, this evening, while Hershey earned a 3-2 overtime win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday.

Founded in 1936 and now with franchises in 30 cities across North America, the American Hockey League serves as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives and broadcasters of all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 88 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the 15th year in a row, more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games in 2015-16.